Patek Philippe

After the initial problem with the poor refurbishment, Patek kindly agreed to replace the case. 4 months wait for the initial service/refurbishment and another 3 months wait for the new case. Got the watch today and I was disappointed to see subtle marks on the dial and a tiny scratch on the rotor.

Before anyone says these are reflections or dirt on the crystal, let me tell you that the AD manager also identified them; these are marks on the dial and rotor. They are very small but can be seen. The photos probably do not show them well. The AD was happy to send the watch back again but I decided to take it home for the time being.

Am I being over-obsessive? what would you do?

The problem is that I like the 5167 too much to let it go but this level of service is changing my mind.

Read my initial story with the poor refurbishment here:
www.watchprosite.com




tiny scratch on the rotor




scratch on the rotor- green circle




mark on the dial




mark on the dial- green circle




mark on the dial




mark on the dial- green circle

Thank you for your opinion.

To send it back,But if it was me I would let it go without hesitation.If you look for 100% perfection that is going to be hectic and frustrating.

Best,
Ahmed

.....i think you have the right to send it back.
If i was in your shoes, though, I wouldn't as it would not bother me that much.

If they can rectify them the next time the watch goes for its service, I may go along with that as they are quite hard to see. Who knows, there may even be more problems when it goes for a service again. I am kind of losing faith in Patek, not as perfect as they advertise themselves.

I wouldn't worry about those marks, perhaps the dial one if it shows up more obviously in person than pictures. I'm very happy that they replaced the case for you though! Hopefully you can enjoy your watch now. If I was you I wouldn't get my watches polished.

It was good of them to agree to replace the case. The marks are not readily visible and I doubt most people would see them without knowing. Just not what I expected.

It's hard to know what to expect! I have similar issues with my Portuguese, I think it's normal.

If not with 2x or 3x magnification, then certainly with 10x... ;-)

There is an easy rule: If you see the flaws with your eyes only, and it disturbes you, let it be changed.
If you don't see it with your eyes, chances are high, that with the improvement of this flaw, you'll get other ones... ;-)

My opinion regarding the marks:
-The scratch on the rotor. Really small scratch. Should not happen, agreed, (especially not at PP) but it is indeed small.
-The marks on the dial: What I find strange: the mark below the 9 and the mark above the nine, can only be seen on one of the photos and not on both! Again: it is there with 3x magnifying, without probably not...

If you put the watch into the save, it will probably stay like that. If you wear the watch regularly, you will certainly have bigger marks before summer is back in 2017. Certainly you will have micro scratches from tissues, cloths, dust... With your magnifying glass they will look horrible... ;-)

Be happy with that marvelous watch. Don't let it happen, that you do not enjoy it!! ;-)

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This is why I never look at my watches with a loupe, I know I'd see imperfections that would start to bother me.  

that is because my short sight is very good. Maybe the dial can just be cleaned and the rotor probably should be left alone. My main gripe is that I did not expect to see this from the Patek.

This is not what I'd expect from Patek either.

This is supposed to be Patek.
They were already dealing with an unhappy customer who had evidence of a poor service AND they let this happen.
Disappointing

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Don't buy a Patek again.

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That way, I would get much more for it. I opened it as I thought it must be all fine now.
I will definitely take my name off for a Patek I had in my mind. I can't bring myself to spend any more cash on Patek.

From my own experience, I noticed that not many watches would pass a highly magnified control. This is craftmanship and there is very often a little imperfection somewhere if we look well.

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make me think that it is a good idea to wait for service, you're paying top dollar, they should deliver top service. Unfortunately it is what it is, if you can live with it as is, keep it as such but ask your AD if in its next service will these be charged against you or if they will note the damage and repair it free of charge, as the service center was the one to administer the punishement. 

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If I should sell this at a loss and get a Lange instead. After reading your post and your problems with Lange, now I am not sure if that is the best thing to do.

It is a handmade craftsmanship piece so there are bound to be little inconsistencies here and there. If I look at my pieces under magnification, there are bound to be imperfections too. A watch is meant to be enjoyed. Sooner or later these pieces will get their marks too.

The watch was totally pristine when I first purchase it meaning that Patek can make flawless time pieces, even if it is from the lower end of the range.

It will work out if you will be looking for minor blemishes. I have a feeling the watch will be returned somehow with something else somewhere else. Doesn't seem like a winning proposition but hey if you have got the time to spare and let it sit for another 3 months, why not.

i would.  if you can see them with the naked eye and it bothers you, by all means send it back.

She has offered to inspect and make suggestions but that means the watch to be away again.